Out-of-Home Care
Safe, stable homes for young people in care.
home >
Nurturing our most vulnerable young people
At Burdekin, we believe every young person should have a safe, caring place to live. We create supportive homes where they can grow, heal, and learn skills to become healthy, independent adults.
With Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) we focus on each young person’s unique needs. We create homes where they feel valued and understood, helping them face life’s challenges with confidence.
Benefits of Out-of-Home Care
-
Supported living
Helps young people gain skills for independent living.
-
Flexible care
Tailored support for everyone.
-
Safe environment
A stable home where young people can work on their goals.
-
Community connections
Reduces disruption and allows young people to stay in touch with their support networks.
What types of Out-of-Home Care does Burdekin offer?
We offer various types of Out-of-Home Care to meet the diverse needs of young people. Each OOHC program provides a supportive and nurturing environment, helping individuals develop the skills they need for a successful future.
Whether it's through a Supported Family Group Home (SFGH), Supported Independent Living (SIL), or a Staffed Home Care model, our goal is to ensure that every young person receives the tailored support they require.
Here’s an overview of each type of care we provide.
Supported Family Group Home
Our Supported Family Group Home program caters to young people aged 12 to 17. It offers a nurturing environment where a dedicated carer helps them work towards their life goals.
This program emphasizes a thorough assessment of each young person’s needs and explores the possibility of restoring connections with their family.
We provide 24/7 support to both young people and their carers.
Note: A Supported Family Group Home is not a substitute for family or institutional care.
Supported Independent Living
Supported Independent Living options are available for young people 16-17 years of age, who are under the care of the Minister.
It is an accommodation and support package offered to young people demonstrating readiness to live in a more independent setting.
Support is designed around the individual, recognising that each of the children and young people in our care have different life experiences and needs customised support.
The ultimate goal of Supported Independent Living is to enable young people to gain successful independence.
Staffed Home Care
While every child and young person should ideally be cared for by their family or a trusted adult in a home setting, sometimes that may not be possible. Our staffed care home model allows us to create a home-like environment for children and young people in OOHC as we work to find a primary carer or explore other options, like our Supported Independent Living program.
Each OOHC staffed care home has a dedicated and professional youth work team, led by an experienced team leader, to provide a safe and supportive atmosphere. We design every home to meet the specific needs of the young people, with up to four individuals living in each home.
Entry criteria for Out-of-Home Care
To qualify for OOHC, young people must be:
- Aged between 12 and 18 years old
- Referred by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)
- Willing to engage in setting and achieving positive goals
- Open to taking part in daytime activities to support development
At Burdekin we focus on supporting children and young people with low to medium needs. We believe that collaborating with them within their existing support networks often yields the best outcomes.
We assist those who wish to build new connections in their local community.
Your journey toward growth and connection is important to us, and we are committed to being a part of it.
About the Burdekin Out-of-Home Care team
We’re proud to have an amazing OOHC team of youth workers and case managers who are passionate, compassionate and professional.
Each member of our team goes through thorough background checks and health screenings, and they benefit from ongoing mentorship. This means that our young people in Out-of-Home Care are supported by dedicated individuals who genuinely care about their success and well-being.
After Care
Young people are offered opportunities to remain with Burdekin beyond OOHC at 18 years of age through the Supported Independent Living program, Youth Housing program or After Care Support. The properties are provided to the young people in our care in partnership with private landlords, community housing providers and the Department of Communities & Justice.
Have you considered becoming a Foster Carer?
Become a Foster Carer and help a young person as they grow!
Take the quick quiz to see if you are a good fit.
Types of
foster care
Become a Foster Carer!
6 steps to become a Foster Carer
Are you able to be a Foster Carer?
Stronger, better, and more capable – together.
